However, because the law wasn’t given a start date, police couldn’t charge people with the offence in England and Wales.

Together, we asked Liz Truss to start the law and she finally listened.

It wasn’t easy, but by putting pressure on Government the NSPCC and its supporters has made sure thousands of children will be protected from sexual abuse every year with the anti-grooming law becoming enforceable from April 2017.

“Children should be as safe online as they are offline, wherever they are in the UK. This law will give police in England and Wales the powers they need to protect children from online grooming, and to intervene sooner to stop abuse before it starts.” -Peter Wanless- NSPCC Chief Executive

Help the NSPCC to continue to make the internet a safe place for children, and make sure children get the right support after abuse.